Cautleya spicata Robusta

Cautleya spicata 'Robusta', or Himalayan ginger, is a perennial with a very exotic appearance, native to the Himalayas. It forms large, long, lanceolate, dark green foliage in an upright tuft. It displays dense red spike inflorescences in summer, from which bilabiate yellow-orange flowers emerge. This large and beautiful rhizomatous herbaceous perennial is cultivated in moist, humus-rich and well-drained soil, in partial shade. Despite its intimidating beauty, it is easy to grow. Its vegetation dies with the first frost, but the stump can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F). The 'Robusta' variety is considered hardier and taller than the typical species. It thrives in the garden, in a conservatory, or in a greenhouse.

Cautleya spicata 'Robusta' belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is native to northern India, in the Himalayan region and up to Yunnan. This rhizomatous herbaceous perennial grows in an upright tuft and reaches up to 1m (3ft) in height with a spread of 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in). Its veined and elongated dark green leaves measure 25 to 35cm (10 to 14in) in length and 4 to 6cm (2in) in width. When the plant is well established, red spike inflorescences appear from July or August. Yellow-orange bilabiate flowers emerge from this spike, accompanied by greenish bracts that turn red later on. Each flower lasts 3 to 5 days. The flowering itself can last for a month. In frost-free regions, the foliage is evergreen in winter, but it dies with the first frost elsewhere. The stump, on the other hand, can withstand temperatures around -15°C (5°F), protected by mulch. It is a hardy and easy-to-grow species with magnificent flowering.

Plant Cautleya spicata 'Robusta' in partial shade to keep the soil cool. Provide it with humus-rich and well-drained soil, that is moist in summer and not too wet in winter. In a flower bed, accompany it with bulbs of Cannas, Japanese ginger, Zingiber mioga 'Dancing Crane', Hedychiums, Colocasia, and Climbing Nasturtiums. You can also cultivate it in a greenhouse or in a slightly heated conservatory.